Last additions - Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival 2004 + 2007 八日市大凧まつり |
Jun 03, 2007
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Jun 03, 2007
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Jun 03, 2007
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Jun 03, 2007
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Jun 03, 2007
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Jun 03, 2007
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Medium-size kites entered in a kite-flying contest.Jun 03, 2007
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Carrying out bamboo. Many people left the festival after the kite crash.Jun 03, 2007
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Jun 03, 2007
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As I predicted again, they started disassembling the kite so they could roll (crumple) it up and carry it out. The kite was not flown again for this festival. It was to be its final flight since it will be replaced next year.Jun 03, 2007
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A closer look at the accident scene. The kite suffered significant damage, and it took about 20 days to repair.Jun 03, 2007
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No way would this guy be able to pull the kite out of this one...Jun 03, 2007
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Stack of cut bamboo.Jun 03, 2007
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The kite strings were too tangled in the bamboo.Jun 03, 2007
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How he wished that he could just pull the strings to drag the kite out.Jun 03, 2007
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A small clearing was made around the kite.Jun 03, 2007
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Members of the giant kite preservation society look on as the disappointing and heartbreaking situation is assessed.Jun 03, 2007
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As I expected, they soon started cutting down the bamboo.Jun 03, 2007
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Hanging on to the strings...Jun 03, 2007
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"So how does it look?" "It looks pretty bad, boss."Jun 03, 2007
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All we could see were the kite strings.Jun 03, 2007
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This was the 2nd time in three years for the giant kite to meet a major accident. In 2005, the kite broke in half in the sky and crashed into a crowd of people below.Jun 03, 2007
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The sign says "Arigato gozaimasu" (Thank you). I guess the bamboo was hungry for a giant kite.Jun 03, 2007
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The giant kite was swallowed whole by the bamboo trees. No one was hurt. Also see my YouTube video here. 大凧が竹やぶに落下Jun 03, 2007
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At slightly past noon with medium-force winds, the giant kite is launched. The kite immediately went straight up. The giant kite is 13 meters high and 12 meters wide, and weighs 700 kg.Jun 03, 2007
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May 27, 2007 was a bad day for giant kite flying in Yokaichi, as the giant kite crashes head-first into a bamboo grove on its first and last flight during the Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival.Jun 03, 2007
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Then it suddenly dove straight down and crashed head-first into the bamboo grove. Ironically, the blue banner on the left says, "Ganbatte" (Do your best).Jun 03, 2007
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It flew very high, up to about 150 meters, then veered to the right, over our heads.Jun 03, 2007
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No wind. This flight lasted only about 30 sec. We ran about 50 meters, then the kite fell back to Earth. Also see the video at YouTube.Jul 14, 2004
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Higher and higher...It went up to about ?? meters.Jul 14, 2004
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Festival posterJul 14, 2004
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Yokaichi Odako giant kite Air borneJul 14, 2004
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And lift off...Jul 14, 2004
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Yokaichi giant kite coming up.Jul 14, 2004
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OK, RUN NOW!! This is the most exciting part when we start running with the rope. It was like a stampede, and I let go after a few seconds to avoid getting runned over by the mob behind me.Jul 14, 2004
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100 kite pullersJul 14, 2004
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Giant Kite sake. The food and souvenir booths sold a variety of merchandise including this locally-brewed sake, complete with a label showing this year's kite design.Jul 14, 2004
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Kite pullers wanted. This booth, next to the giant kite, is where you can apply to pull the kite. Anybody can apply to pull the giant kite. I applied and got a little kite pin and a pair of gloves.Jul 14, 2004
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Kite train or "rendako." These kites are pretty to watch. 連凧Jul 14, 2004
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Ready for another flightJul 14, 2004
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Mini kite flying contestJul 14, 2004
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Sagamihara kite in flight. Due to a lack of wind, this flight didn't last long.Jul 14, 2004
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Sagamihara kite team invited. Sagamihara city in Kanagawa Prefecture also has a giant kite festival, and they were invited to fly a smaller version of their kite at Yokaichi. (Yokaichi was also invited to Sagamihara's kite festival in April.)Jul 14, 2004
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Mini kite flying contest. The flying portion of the kite contest is held.Jul 14, 2004
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Banzai from Sagamihara. After the kite's flight, the Sagamihara team give a few banzais to themselves and to Yokaichi.Jul 14, 2004
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Yokaichi Giant Kite Preservation Society. This is the group responsible for producing, maintaining, and flying the giant kite. 大凧保存会Jul 14, 2004
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Snapped part being repaired.Jul 14, 2004
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Take off. On cue, the people pulling the kite start running and the kite starts to lift off. Also see the video at YouTube.Jul 14, 2004
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Raising the kite. Long bamboo poles are used to prop the huge kite upward to meet the wind.Jul 14, 2004
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Kite cornerJul 14, 2004
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Launch pad. The kite is carried to the take off point and pointed toward the wind, which unfortunately very weak this day.Jul 14, 2004
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Ready for flightJul 14, 2004
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Stringing the kiteJul 14, 2004
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Carved paperJul 14, 2004
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People's fortune stickers on the kite. 願い札Jul 14, 2004
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I saw the Yokaichi Giant Kite Festival (Odako Matsuri) for the first time on May 23, 2004. The site is alongside the Echigawa River near the Yachiyo Bridge. A free shuttle bus from Yokaichi Station is provided, taking about 10 min. Jul 14, 2004
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The Big One. The size is equivalent to 100 tatami mats or about 12 meters x 13 meters (156 square meters).Jul 14, 2004
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CrowdsJul 14, 2004
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Mini kite contest. Kite contestants show off their kite designs at their tents.Jul 14, 2004
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